2021 - Coresair Mack puts the “Well” in “Wellness”

These days, ‘self-care’ is something we hear a lot about. For students, it’s critical that they can effectively manage school, work, and family. That’s why Elgin Community College puts so much focus on student wellness, and what brought Coresair Mack to campus.

“My role at ECC is to help students who struggle with mental health issues, substance use issues, wellness at school and at home, and to help provide resources from both within ECC and outside in the Elgin community,” Mack explains. “I am also an administrator and have been put on various teams to help effectively enhance student’s experiences at ECC.”

New to the ECC family in 2020, Mack remembers his first day fondly: “When I first arrived at ECC, my office was decorated by Mary [Grimm] and Vinny [Cascio]. It was nice and helped me feel welcomed to the team.”

Read on to learn what roles medieval times, software engineering, and fight club played in Mack’s life below:

What is your greatest accomplishment since you’ve been at ECC?

Currently, my greatest accomplishment is helping students learn more about the resources both in the school and out in the community. A lot of students didn’t know how to utilize their insurance cards and navigate their insurance or knew that they had a Student Assistance Program (SAP) available to them 24/7. Providing those resources helped give the students that I saw more independence to problem solve and take care of their problems.

Name a job or role at ECC that you would like to try for one day and explain why.

It would be interesting to be an academic advisor. Part of my skills set is career counseling, and it would be exciting to see the different career options and interests that students come up with.

If you could instantly be an expert in one thing, what would you choose?

Software Engineering—that is what I originally studied in school. To become an expert in that instantly would be pretty interesting.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work (i.e., hobbies/interests)?

Exercise, cook, play videogames, and watch YouTube.

If you could live in a TV show, which show would it be and why?

I would say Vikings or Game of Thrones. Medieval times or the stone age where you can travel and have adventures always interested me.

Where is the best place you’ve traveled? Or where would you like to visit?

I haven’t traveled much, but one place I would like to go visit is Australia.

You have to wear a t-shirt with just one word on it for an entire year. What would that word be, and why?

Victory, because everyone would ask what I won. It would just be a good conversation starter.

Share a fact about you that might surprise people to learn.

I was in a fighting club in high school where I learned about mixed martial arts. I will say, out of all the times I sparred, I only won once. Everyone usually thinks I won a lot due to how big I am! But my technique was, and still is, horrible.

What job have you held (besides ECC) that was the most fun, interesting, or difficult? Explain why.

The most fun job I previously held was Graduate Resident Hall Director, because it was the first leadership job I’ve had. I helped my Community Advisors learn, grow, and develop both professionally and personally. It was great watching their growth. The most interesting job was telemarketing, because I got to be on the other side of nobody’s favorite phone call.  

Name someone you admire and explain why.

I admire my parents. Both of them literally started from the bottom and worked their way up to be successful with their intelligence and hard work. If I could be half as amazing as them, that would be a life accomplishment.  

What was your most valuable life lesson?

Adaptability - if you aren’t able to change with the times, then you will be left behind.

Complete this sentence: “I enjoy working at ECC because … “

I can reach my full potential in helping other students reach their full potential.